Preview of the Weekend: Man Utd host Liverpool; Man City vs Chelsea in Cup final
maite_ 2019-02-22 21:45:58 评论
Welcome to All Football Preview of the Weekend. You should miss not even one game! Below are the best matches that the world of football would bring to you.
Man Utd vs Liverpool
Kick off: 15:05 CET
Date: Sun, 24-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Man Utd news
Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial were originally both ruled out of Sunday's game with Liverpool but reports have emerged suggesting they could make the squad.
If neither Lingard nor Martial are fit enough to start at Old Trafford, then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may go with the same starting XI that beat Chelsea 2-0 on Monday night.
Romelu Lukaku's position up front is not guaranteed, nor is Victor Lindelof's partner at the back. Chris Smalling played very well against Chelsea but the pace of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane could bring Eric Bailly into the equation.
Liverpool news
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has conceded Dejan Lovren is unlikely to recover from injury in time to face Manchester United on Sunday.
Virgil van Dijk will return to the Liverpool starting XI after missing Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich through suspension. His return will free Fabinho up to move into central midfield.
James Milner could provide fresh legs in central midfield after starting on the bench against Bayern.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Joe Gomez are still sidelined for the away side.
Focus
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strengthened his case to be made Manchester United's next permanent manager with a 2-0 win away to Chelsea on Monday, their first at Stamford Bridge in the post-Ferguson era. Denting Liverpool's title hopes on Sunday and it's hard to foresee Solskjaer not getting the job at the end of the season.
Liverpool were disappointed with their 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday but must quickly pick themselves up for a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday. This is their game in hand over Manchester City and they will take the outright lead in the title race if they avoid defeat.
Prediction
Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Man City vs Chelsea
Kick off: 17:30 CET
Date: Sun, Feb 24 2019
Probable Line-ups
Man City news
Vincent Kompany made his return from injury in midweek and will be desperate to lead out Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
John Stones is a major doubt for Sunday, while Gabriel Jesus is expected to join Benjamin Mendy on the sidelines for Pep Guardiola's side.
Fernandinho was used at centre-back in City's recent 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea and could drop back into defence at Wembley. David Silva was surprisingly benched against Chelsea and could make way again here, as Bernardo Silva is a guarenteed starter for Guardiola.
Leroy Sane helped salvage City's victory over former club Schalke on Wednesday and his performance has given Guardiola a major headache.
It remains to be seen whether Arijanet Muric or Ederson will start in goal in the final.
Chelsea news
A stomach bug kept Pedro out of Thursday's Europa League home match with Malmoe, while Kepa missed out with a hamstring problem. Both are doubts and would be big losses for Chelsea.
Davide Zappacosta had a fever and did not feature in midweek, though would not have started in any case at Wembley.
Emerson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andreas Christensen all caught Maurizio Sarri's eye on Thursday and will hope to force their way into the starting XI on Sunday.
Focus
Chelsea will have their 6-0 defeat to Manchester City fresh in the memory. They are not in a good place at the moment and another poor result to City on Sunday will likely lead to Maurizio Sarri's sacking. Playing in the Europa League on Thursday will do Sarri no favours here, either.
This is the first of four trophies City can win this season. They could also become the first side to retain the Carabao Cup since Manchester United (between 2009 and 2010). City have won 13 of their last 14 matches and are firm favourites.
Prediction
Man City 2-0 Chelsea
Sevilla vs Barcelona
Kick off: 16:15 CET
Date: Sat, 23-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Arturo Vidal or Sergi Roberto will deputise for Arthur in central midfield.
Nelson Semedo should be given the nod at right-back to combat the pace of Sevilla's Quincy Promes.
Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele will both be in contention to start on the left-hand side of Barca's front three.
Focus
Sevilla need to find a way to transfer their European form to the domestic scene. They have only won two of their last 11 in the league.
Barcelona are also not at their best. While they are unbeaten in their last seven, they have failed to beat Valencia, Lyon, Athletic Club and Real Madrid in that time.
Prediction
Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona
Levante vs Real Madrid
Kick off: 20:45 CET
Date: Sun, Feb 24 2019
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Luka Modric returns from suspension for the away side and should come into midfield.
Sergio Ramos is absent due to suspension, however, with Nacho and Raphael Varane expected to feature at centre-back.
Lucas Vazquez is expected to get the nod ahead of Gareth Bale on the right-hand side, but Isco should be back in contention for Los Blancos after some neck and back problems.
Focus
Levante got back to winning ways last time out, putting 10-man Celta Vigo to the sword in an impressive 4-1 away win.
The home side are unbeaten in their last four games at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia, keeping two clean sheets and beating Barcelona during that period.
Real Madrid's excellent form came to an end last time out, throwing away a lead to lose 2-1 to Girona at home.
Prediction
Levante 1-2 Real Madrid
Bologna vs Juventus
Kick off: 15:00 CET
Date: Sun, 24-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Sami Khedira has been sidelined for a month after undergoing surgery to fix a heart condition.
As Emre Can is suspended, Massimiliano Allegri may have to start the same midfield used against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Focus
Bologna have picked up points in three of their last five league matches but are still three points from safety.
Juventus lost 2-0 away to Atletico Madrid in midweek and that would have knocked the team's confidence.
Nevertheless, the Bianconeri tend to react well from defeats and should overcome Bologna here.
Prediction
Bologna 1-2 Juventus
Arsenal vs Southampton
Kick off: 15:05 CET
Date: Sun, Feb 24 2019
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Laurent Koscielny was forced off with an injury on Thursday night and may not feature here as a result.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed out against BATE through illness and Unai Emery will hope to have him back here.
Alexandre Lacazette was suspended in the Europa League and will be fresh to play here.
Mesut Ozil got a rare start last time out but is expected to drop to the bench here.
Focus
Arsenal have won eight of their last 10 home matches in all competitions.
Southampton have only lost one of their last eight matches and have had nearly two weeks to prepare for this match.
Arsenal have struggled in recent matches against Southampton and may have some tired legs in their squad following Thursday's outing.
The Gunners have only won two of their last four home matches against Southampton but anything other than three points on Sunday would be a disappointment for the home side.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
PSG vs Nimes
Kick off: 17:00 CET
Date: Sat, 23-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Leandro Paredes, who was ineligible in the week, should come into the side in midfield.
Thiago Silva is back from suspension and should start at the back.
None of Edinson Cavani, Neymar, or Thomas Meunier will play here.
Focus
The last time these two sides met was a thrilling encounter, albeit one marred by a nasty incident between Kylian Mbappé and Téji Savanier; expect no less intensity in this match.
That said, PSG are yet to drop points at home this season, and should be comfortable enough here.
Prediction
PSG 3-1 Nimes
Bayern vs Hertha BSC
Kick off: 15:30 CET
Date: Sat, 23-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng compete for two spots at centre-back.
Thomas Müller was suspended in the midweek draw with Liverpool and should rotate into the side this weekend.
Franck Ribéry could rotate back in on the left wing, with Kingsley Coman possibly being rested as well.
Focus
Bayern Munich are full of confidence at the moment. They have closed the gap at the top of the Bundesliga to three points and drew 0-0 away to Liverpool in midweek.
Hertha Berlin have only lost one of their last five Bundesliga matches, but continue to struggle with injury concerns. After back-to-back away wins, they will hope to put in a solid performance again.
Expect Bayern to try to dominate this game from the outset.
Prediction
Bayern 3-1 Hertha BSC
Burnley vs Tottenham
Kick off: 13:30 CET
Date: Sat, 23-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Harry Kane is tipped to return to the first-team action earlier than expected, though may have to settle for a place on the bench on Saturday.
Dele Alli and Vincent Janssen will still be missing for Mauricio Pochettino's side, but Ben Davies is back in full training.
Eric Dier just missed out on a place in the squad for Tottenham's 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund but should be available here.
This is Tottenham's first game in little under two weeks and Danny Rose should also be back up to full fitness.
Focus
Burnley have only lost one of their last nine matches in all competitions. Sean Dyche's side have hit form at right time but are still only three points clear of the bottom three.
Tottenham have a great opportunity to cut Liverpool and Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points this weekend. Manchester City contest the Carabao Cup final and Liverpool are away to Manchester United in the league.
Tottenham have the best away record in the Premier League this season (33 points) and are expected to come through this test in Saturday's early kick-off.
Prediction
Burnley 0-2 Tottenham
Atletico vs Villarreal
Kick off: 16:15 CET
Date: Sun, Feb 24 2019
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Thomas Partey is available after a domestic ban but could be rested after starting against Juventus.
Thomas Lemar is expected to get a start, while Alvaro Morata should feature up top after coming off the bench in midweek.
Santiago Arias should come in at right-back, with changes set to be few and far between.
Fous
Atletico Madrid will be flying after beating Juventus 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in midweek. Now they need to get back on track in the league.
Villarreal are currently on a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but haven't won on the road in La Liga since match day six against Athletic Club.
Prediction
Atletico 2-1 Villarreal
Dortmund vs Leverkusen
Kick off: 18:00 CET
Date: Sun, 24-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Manuel Akanji could return from injury to start at centre-back, with Abdou Diallo, Ömer Toprak and Julian Weigl providing further options in these positions.
Marco Reus could return from a muscle injury to replace Maximilian Philipp in attacking midfield.
Jacob Bruun Larsen and Paco Alcacer offer further options in attacking positions.
Focus
Dortmund are winless in their last five matches and without a goal in their last two. They hope for the return of Marco Reus to get them back on track now, but have to improve their balance again.
Leverkusen crashed out of the Europa League against FC Krasnodar on Thursday and also went out of the DFB-Pokal since former BVB-manager Peter Bosz took over in the winter break. They have won six of their last seven Bundesliga matches, however, inlcuding a 3-1 win over Bayern at the beginning of February.
Expect this to be an intense game with several good chances at both ends of the pitch.
Prediction
Dortmund 2-2 Leverkusen
Fiorentina vs Inter
Kick off: 20:30 CET
Date: Sun, Feb 24 2019
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Mauro Icardi is not injured but has not featured in Inter's last three matches. He could return here, but Lautaro Martinez has impressed in his absence.
Despite scoring against SPAL, Giovanni Simeone is expected to start on the bench here.
Germán Pezzella has served his suspension but is sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury.
Fous
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last six games and are now only three points adrift of the top seven.
Inter have performed well on the pitch without Mauro Icardi and won 4-0 on Thursday in the Europa League.
Fiorentina's matches have been entertaining this season and this one should prove no different.
Prediction
Fiorentina 2-2 Inter
Milan vs Empoli
Kick off: 20:30 CET
Date: Fri, 22-Feb-19
Probable Line-ups
Team news
Suso has picked up a suspension and will have to skip the game against Empoli.
Same Castillejo and Fabio Borini are in contention to replace their team-mate.
Focus
AC Milan beat a direct rival for fourth place in Atalanta last time out. They have hit their groove at the right time.
Empoli are three points above the bottom three after winning last time out. They could be back in the bottom three by the end of the weekend.
Prediction
Milan 2-0 Empoli
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